New Lift and Ski Area Improvements In Meribel For Winter 2018/19 - Part 2

Hi everybody, and welcome back to your favourite Méribel ski instructor's blog. Crikey, autumn is well and truly under way now, and on social media I've recently seen some gorgeous photos of the first sprinkling of snow on the high peaks. We will soon be dusting off the tartiflette recipes and diving into the back of the drinks cabinet for some quality Génépi! A few weeks ago I posted the first half my report of what will be new and exciting this coming winter, click here for the link if you missed it, and here is the second half.

By the way, all of these photos were taken at the end of July, so the projects will be much further advanced now. Last year the water reservoir in the Altiport area of the Blanchot was expanded considerably. This year it is the turn of the reservoir above Méribel-Mottaret. The original reservoir is located to the left of the top of the Combes chairlift, inbetween the Roc de Tougne chairlift, and the lovely Chalet Tonia mountain restaurant.

From a distance the expansion looked quite impressive, however the closer I cycled, I realised how massive it was. Méribel has an ambitious programme over the next few years with snow making, which of course is a good thing. When the resort is trying to put a base of snow down early season, or when the snow gods are being a little stubborn, the ability to make as much snow as possible in a short space of time will be helped further by these improvements. I hope that trade for the Chalet Tonia won't be affected; it really is a peach of a place to stop for hot chocolate, lunch, or even an afternoon drink on the sunny terrace.

Next up, back over to the other side of the valley. There is a new hotel being built above the Adray restaurant, close to the Rond Point mountain restaurant. A huge hole has been dug in the ground as part of the building work. The excavated soil has been shifted further up the mountain, and is being used to widen the Blanchot piste. This is above the top of the Rhodos bubble lift, going up towards the tight bend of the piste that eventually leads to the top of the Altiport chairlift. So all good for recycling, and also this wider piste will help beginners build their confidence.

Another improvement will be the upgrade to the Mont Vallon bubble. This lift gives access to some amazing skiing in the highest part of the Méribel ski area, however the actual bubble used to be a challenge sometimes. If you were lucky enough to find a spot to sit, it was easy to slip off, and if you were standing it was often a squeeze. Now we will have an eight seat bubble, with skiers and boarders facing each other. This continues the trend with telecabines in recent years.

Right, I think that will do it for the moment. I hope this has given you all lovely thoughts for the coming winter; it will be upon us before you know it, there's no holding back the seasons! My next blog will be about a recent ski that I had a couple of weeks ago in the not so famous British ski area of Alpe de Milton Keynes! Until then, here are a couple of enjoyable moments back in Méribel last winter. Live With Passion. Martin.

By the way, after having looked at the last two photos, it has made me realise yet again what a bizarre existence and winter job I have. What seems normal during the winter, is anything but outside of that environment. Love It.